Russia in Syria. The Previous History and Present Concerns

Andrej Kreutz
University of Calgary

Abstrakt

Dramatic development of events in Syria of the last 6 years in an unprecedented wayimpacted not only the Middle East countries, but also a number of other, the USA included,and probably indirectly affected the international system as a whole. Said events claimed atleast 400,000 casualties and immeasurable loss in terms of material and cultural value. Theyadditionally focused the world attention on the relatively small country of more that 2000year-long history, extraordinary diversity of cultural heritage and tradition.The article attempts at casting light at the Syria conflict in all its complexity. Particularemphasis was put on the role Russia (formerly the USSR) plays in it. The country’s influenceis possible due to the withdrawal of colonial forces.Acting as a natural successor of the USSR, Russia continues to be present in the region takingadvantage of its geopolitical importance and building a zone of influence. In recent yearsRussia has been solidifying its presence utilizing the bloody conflict that grew to somethingmore than just civil war involving external forces. Said forces refer to various reasons andmotives to justify any open or covert intervention due to the escalating situation and theincreasing threat of spreading of the conflict to the whole Middle East, and therefore thedanger of a world war.The article analyzes the numerous internal factors conditioning the civil war and points toits causes intensified by a cumulating conflicts of various origin – ethnic, religious, cultural,historic. Furthermore it determines conflicting economic and strategic interests threatenedby external forces struggle connected to the involvement of neighboring and world powers.Regardless of other conflicts and events impacting the destabilization of internationalsituation, the Syrian conflict is currently the most serious in terms of world peace andinternational order.Key words: Syria, civil war, Middle East, history and politics, colonial forces, Russian-American rivalry, Islamic State, ethnic and religious conflicts, international terrorism